 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-05-25 15:19
Hi,
I wondered if it would be okay to show you all this weird embouchure-strengthening exercise device that I've been given?
https://www.iqoro.com/what-is-iqoro/
It's effectively a plastic plate that goes between my lips and my front teeth and then I've to try to pull it out of my mouth while using my embouchure muscles to make sure that it stays in.
I was given it to fix a post-covid digestive problem, but it really really feels to me like a top-notch piece of gym equipment for the embouchure.
One of the things that it does is to train the tongue to sit high at the back of the mouth, just as people always talk about on this forum. Apparently it engages 48 muscles in the face and tongue and other places *back there*.
I wondered if it would of interest to other folks on here?
I have no idea whether it fixes the digestion problem, as I've only had it for two days, but it's sure as heck working on my clarinet playing.
I know because the muscles that it makes me engage, are sore and stiff from the exercise. Then when I play my clarinet afterwards I can feel those same sore, stiff muscles engaging when I play.
I have only to use it for 30 seconds, three times a day, so it's not a big time commitment.
Jen
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
Post Edited (2023-05-25 15:20)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-05-28 14:49
I find the claims of triggering the involuntary muscles of the upper pallet to be fascinating. Naturally I have tried just hooking a finger in one side of my mouth or the other to try this idea out (without the expense of 180 Euros). It doesn't seem as though my idea is working but I am only pulling on one side at a time this way.
So after using this product for awhile, does it seem as though snoring (for example) becomes less of a problem?
As far as embouchure is concerned I can see how it may aid in getting one to think "round" when it comes to any force rather than "bite" (just up and down).
I tried to explain this latest gizmo to my wife, and she said, "Oh, you mean a pacifier." I may have another experiment to try!
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-05-28 16:19
Hi Paul,
That's hilarious what your wife said. As far as I can see she is right and it is basically a pacifier, but much bigger, and you put the plastic guard right in.
It does have a very strange effect on the muscles though. The instruction say that I should tighten the obicularis oris muscle to a smile, rather than like a tight "O", and if I do that, then it works the muscles right back to my ears.
I definitely feel the muscles of my tongue being worked too, not while I'm doing the exercise, but afterwards, when it is all a bit sore. It's weird how I can make the muscle sore by using it for 30 seconds. That really surprises me. It's my cheeks, tongue and throat, right down to my voicebox, that are sore, so that must be where the muscles engage.
I tried to think of some cheap household object like a spoon, that would do the same job, but I'm not sure there is one, because the plastic guard is really quite big and goes right sound the side of both cheeks. I suppose the nearest thing might be a mouth guard for boxing or something, but I'm not sure how those work.
I'm not sure about the sleep apnoea / soft pallete thing tbh. Although the device makes my muscles hurt, so that I know it is doing something, I'm not yet sure what it is that it is doing.
I will report back if it seems to help with the clarinet playing. My great hope is that I might make it to a #2 reed and then it would be clear evidence of progress.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2023-05-28 17:25
FWIW, I found several devices on Amazon's website that actually came up in response to a Google (not Amazon) search for IQoro that looked to similar to IQoro, claimed to do the same thing, and were much less expensive. I don't know if they're less effective rip-offs, or if the manufacturer of IQoror is spectacularly overpricing its version.
Karl
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Author: spikey1973
Date: 2023-05-28 19:11
@ SunnyDaze,
Well I read in a bit on the IQuro, It is actually used as treatment for several upper GI-tract related issues and it seems the theory behind is solid.
On the other hand, the evidence behind actual symptoms / complaints resolution seems be less solid. Which doesn't necessarily need to mean something. Could be that the way of testing wasn't efficient..
Please do take in account that, with using an "unnatural" treatment method like this, there is always the option it might solve on complaint but cause another.
Just thinking out loud here, so no foundation behind these thoughts here, but for example it could have a (negative / positive) effect on your salive production / quality, which could have an effect on your dental-health. I am not saying it will but it could.
What I mean with "unnatural" is that the muscles in your peri-oral facial structure (said this way, to not define the specific muscles involved) were not evolved with the intension to be pulled on from the outside. So even if you have muscle aches in the same muscles, it doesn't mean it traines these muscles in the way that it will actually result in strengthning the muscles in the way you use them in your embouchure. I am not saying that it won't either, just saying you can't conclude one from the other.
I can only advice to read in to some objective scientific research on the iQuro topic. Don't believe into the commercials, all they wish to do is sell their (over-priced ofcourse!) product.
Kind greats
Matthieu
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-05-28 20:45
Hi Matthiew,
Thanks, yes, I see what you mean. It is certainly a bit mysterious.
I will report back if it suddenly makes me into a hot-shot clarinetist.
Or if I find myself beautifully pacified.
Jen
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